Bunnahabhain Cruach Mhona

Winter is coming, and Bunnahabhain Cruach Mhona is a warming, smoky dram perfect for the occasion.

Bunnahabhain distillery was constructed in 1881 by the Greenlees brothers, and first opened its doors in 1883. It's located on the island of Islay, with 11 employees and four massive stills – among the biggest in the industry, alongside Glenmorangie.

The experience of Bunnahabhain Cruach Mhona is like stepping outside in your best overcoat on a cold, damp morning while some neighbor close by has lit a cedar fire in his fireplace. You are warm and dry, but the world is filled with new flavors and smells … the damp grass around you, the freshness of the air coupled with the hint of a roaring fire somewhere nearby. It’s just nice.

Bunnahabbhain is definitely and Islay single-malt, so you are gong to get some peat smoke in the dram. But Buannahabbhain is famous for being gentle on the peat, so it is never going to get up and grab you by the throat with chucks of toasted coal. Their whole idea is to make it warming and pleasant. Mission accomplished. But Bunnahabhain Cruach Mhona is normally only available at those duty-free shops in airports and cruise ship ports of call, so unless you have an overseas trip planned, grab up a bottle now to warm up your next cold winter’s day.

SmartAss Corner
Taken all together, the name Bunnahabhain Cruach Mhona translates roughly as “Stack of peat bricks by the mouth of a river.” It sounds far more romantic and exclusive when said in Gaelic, don’t you think?